UNC Asheville Students and NCACPA Western Carolina Chapter Offer Free Document Shredding Service on October 13

 
Freshman students in UNC Asheville's "Financial Literacy" course, taught by Management & Accountancy lecturer Betsy Mayes, CPA, have been taking a close look at identity theft this fall. The students learned about the devastating effects of this crime and the importance of properly disposing of financial documents. Motivated by these facts, the students are spearheading a free shredding event to help curb the problem locally.

 

The free shredding service will be available to community members from 9 to 11 am, Saturday,
October 13, in front of UNC Asheville's Owen Hall. Each person may bring up to three medium boxes or two large garbage cans. Students will be on hand to help community members lift their full boxes or garbage cans into the commercial shredding truck provided by Carolina Shredding Services. The event is free and open to the public—no businesses or non-profit organizations, please.

To clarify any confusion about what to keep and what to shred, Certified Public Accountants will be available that day to answer questions and offer free advice. All are members of the Western North Carolina Chapter of the North Carolina Association of CPAs.

In the wrong hands, personal information can be used to devastating consequences. With a surprisingly small amount of data, criminals can steal identities and open bank accounts, purchase items and wreak havoc on a person's life.

"The number one way to prevent identity theft is to shred personal records, but determining which documents to shred and which to keep can be confusing," said Mayes.

"A good rule of thumb is to consider shredding any documents that list names, bank account numbers or social security numbers," said Mayes. "Suggestions include such papers as pre-approved credit card offers, ATM receipts, old bank statements and outdated credit reports."

The free personal document shredding service is sponsored by UNC Asheville's Management & Accountancy Department and the Western North Carolina Chapter of the North Carolina Association of CPAs. For more information, call Betsy Mayes, UNC Asheville Management & Accountancy lecturer, at 828/251-6846.